Heart of the Sun Warrior: A Riveting Tale of Love, Sacrifice and Unyielding Valor, inspired by Mythology―The Sequel to Daughter of the Moon Goddess, ... Kingdom Duology (Celestial Kingdom, 2)
The stunning sequel to Daughter of the Moon Goddess delves deeper into beloved Chinese mythology, concluding the epic story of Xingyin—the daughter of Chang’e and the mortal archer, Houyi—as she battles a grave new threat to the realm, in this powerful tale of love, sacrifice, and hope.
After winning her mother’s freedom from the Celestial Emperor, Xingyin thrives in the enchanting tranquility of her home. But her fragile peace is threatened by the discovery of a strange magic on the moon and the unsettling changes in the Celestial Kingdom as the emperor tightens his grip on power. While Xingyin is determined to keep clear of the rising danger, the discovery of a shocking truth spurs her into a perilous confrontation.
Forced to flee her home once more, Xingyin and her companions venture to unexplored lands of the Immortal Realm, encountering legendary creatures and shrewd monarchs, beloved friends and bitter adversaries. With alliances shifting quicker than the tides, Xingyin has to overcome past grudges and enmities to forge a new path forward, seeking aid where she never imagined she would. As an unspeakable terror sweeps across the realm, Xingyin must uncover the truth of her heart and claw her way through devastation—to rise against this evil before it destroys everything she holds dear, and the worlds she has grown to love . . . even if doing so demands the greatest price of all.
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Community Reviews
I'm struggling to put my feelings into words right now, just moments after finishing the tumultuous events of the last 100 or so pages of this one. I cried so many times due to pain, loss, remembrance, joy, hope, love - it was an emotional roller coaster that practically gave me whiplash.
Xingyin has returned to her home on the moon, at peace again now that she has earned her mother her freedom. A startling discovery one evening unveils a great mystery surrounding the laurel grove - one that has attracted some very power hungry immortals. After an attack on their home on the moon, Xingyin and her mother flee to the Immortal Realm, hoping to find someone who will shelter them. Xingyin is forced into court politics in exchange for safe harbor, which also means alliances with those she would prefer to shoot with her bow.
Then a danger emerges that threatens both the Immortal AND Mortal realms: magic that has been perverted to create unholy terrors....terrors that are nigh impossible to overcome. Xingyin and her allies must find a way to destroy this evil before it wipes out everyone and everything she loves.
The last third of this book is what saved it and had it squeak into the 4 star range. (I respect that star ratings mean different things to different readers, but 4 stars for me means that while I loved it, it had a thing or two I think could have been done better or done without. That's my subjective opinion, other readers might find those things to be their favorite parts.)
A large chunk of the book had me thinking to myself that DAUGHTER OF THE MOON GODDESSshould have been a standalone. Then Sue Lynn Tan worked her magic and changed my mind with the beauty of how she concluded this Chinese mythological tale. Until it clicked with me and changed my mind, I frankly was reading it only because I love the writing style of the author. There was a large focus on the love triangle aspect that I did not enjoy...at least, not at first. Upon reflection after finishing the book, the three people involved in the triangle didn't enjoy it either: it was filled with pain and tragedy. When I realized this, I began dialing in on what these characters were going through, their thoughts and emotions - actions they took for each other, while also at times giving in to their own selfishness. It was so human - love isn't perfect, it's messy and full of ups and downs.
I had hoped to find this one as action packed as the first, but that was not the case. This story felt more to me like I was sitting at the feet of Xingyin, as she recounted the story of her past, for this one was more of a tell instead of show. I don't typically care for stories told in that fashion, but again, Sue Lynn Tan held me entranced with her lyrical prose. I think character driven readers will enjoy the focus on the characters and their relationships to one another.
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